Visiting shoemakers in Budapest - Vass Shoes - part three

Now the highlight of my Budapest visit was getting to touch and feel the Vass shoe offerings directly from the source itself. Mr. Vass Laszlo is a legend and well known shoe artisan from Budapest Hungary, who did put Hungary on the International map when it comes to classic, timeless, elegant men's shoes made by hand, not in Paris, Milan or London but Budapest. 

On the day of my arrival in Budapest, I had viewed the map incorrectly and was just about to cross the bridge to the Buda side when I realised my blunder, it was during this blunder that I came across the Vass shoe shop in the city centre. Long story short, on my first visit I was met by Mr. Rezso, a very nice & charming and elegantly dressed younger man (in his thirties, I would guess), wearing Vass shoes, need not say. We had a little chat on shoes, but had to be on my way to find my place of residence. My second visit occurred in the early morning hours, meaning at opening hours at 10:00 and I was met by two ladies, Madame Bernadett(e) (younger) and Madame Valerie (older), both very charming and helpful, they allowed me to film/take photos and discussed shoes (Vass shoes) mainly. 

I was shown the very famous lasts (The K-last, U-Last, Peter-Last etc) and the new innovated lasts. I have to admit, I was thrilled and excited to see all these well made shoes in person, now I understand some of those gents who may have only Vass made shoes in their wardrobe. One thing I noted though, was that Vass single sole is thicker than an English single sole, this was not an optical delusion, I compared to my GJ Cleverley's I was wearing. 
Furthermore the Vass shop was offering computer bags in dark brown suede and in tan colour, they simply looked astonishing. I am thinking of getting a bag from them, can not recall the actual price but about 500 Euros, a bargain in my opinion. 

Anyway, I ended up ordering a Balmoral boot in their new French Oxford Boot design (A proto type at then), no cap toe, in the new hide (museum calf called Radica Cognac, I think) which has a heavy antiqued patina in burgundish colour and suede with a brownish touch, the last a Vass U-last.
So, I have five/six weeks to wait.  I am really looking forward to the boot. Will post a blog about this boot very soon.

I will strongly recommend giving Vass a visit when visiting Budapest, the establishment was for me worth the visit. I should have done the visit years ago, but oh... better late than never.  So we cut the talk and let the pictures speak for themselves.

The visitor is greeted by these exquisite window display from the outside of the shop and the Vass Shoes Logo.

Amongst the shoes a brown suede bag, well done and executed.

Cordovan collection at Mr. Vass Laszlo's shop in Budapest

Exotic renditions by Vass

Boot renditions by Vass

A double black calf monk

Ostrich hide three tier Derby

A line up of the usual Vass suspects 

More line up.....

 Small details of the line up

Two toned - exotic and calf balmoral Derby with a stitched cap toe

An exotic single and a double monk from Vass 

Suede loafers as renditioned by Vass shoes (in blue and dark brown suede)

All photos sourced from me (The Shoe Aristo Cat)

Marquess aka Shoji Kawaguchi's full brogue and a monk

For the day I have sampled two creations from Master Shoji Kawaguchi aka "Marquess". The sampled are a full brogue Oxford laced shoe and a a single monk.
However the full brogue is very distinctive from the usual full brogue. Note that the vamp part is not brogued as expected but rather stitched, which is is unusual, but looks great and separates this full brogue from the rest. I will not say a word on the monks, both shoes have nice colour and are well polished. Hmm...bespoke....bespoke....

The full brogue Oxford and the single Monk by Master Marquess

Photos sourced from The Shoe Realist

Kunai Atsushi - The Green single monk and a tan Chukka

Whilst waiting for the Spring/Summer to come I have been looking at Master Kunai Atsushi and other bespoke Japanese shoemakers creations, and I came to the conclusion that I will use this week to high light the Japanese bespoke shoemakers. For the day I have sampled Master Kunai's a green single monk rendition with a very distinctive buckle and a tan chukka boot with Bach partituras.
I simply sampled the two creations because in my humble opinion they are great assets for the Spring/Summer. Both are unique, as the monk has a very special buckle and the Chukka being decorated with Bach's music score. How clever.

Green single monk with a distinctive buckle by Master Kunai, square chisel toe.

Tan Chukka with Bach music score on it, squared chisel toe

All photos sourced from Bespoke Makers

DC Lewis Footwear - shoes made in....

About mid 2011 there was a bit of a rush and talk on Style Forum when two members of SF joined together to establish DC Lewis Footwear. At the beginning the debate was much about shoes made in countries which are not known for producing shoes at all. That is to say, for some members on the Forum, shoes had to be made in Italy, England, France, Japan or and the USA, otherwise the shoes could not be of good quality. Hmmm... However DC Lewis Footwear proved that to be wrong and they were right. Bottom line is, if the shoe is well designed, Goodyear welted, well lasted, the leather is premium leather, well made (artisanship) and rightfully priced, does it matter where they are made? Guess not in my humble opinion. But I maybe in the minority. 
Lots of men buy Ecco shoes, which are really ugly, not even "fashionable" (even if I despise fashionable things) and they are probably made in some far corner of the world unknown to us or never heard of. 
Enough of talking....and let us review and judge the offerings made by DC Lewis Footwear made in .....????

A Balmoral boot in shell cordovan

A side strapped single monk

 A quarter brogue Oxford with punched cap toe and a medallion

 A side strapped double monk in exotic leather, chisel square toe

Same shoe as above as worn by owner

 A quarter brogue spectator in two tones, leather and suede.

 A stitched cap toe Oxford in shell cordovan

Photos sourced from Style Forum

Meermin - Shoes from Spain for every pocket

For quite some time there has been much talk about a Spanish shoe brand called Meermin on the Internet fora and I did not do a thing to find out who this "new kid" on the blog offering shoes at a very "reasonable" price was. Meermin was established in 2001. Some people tend to name Meermin the second Carmina, as Meermin is owned by the Albaladejo family from Carmina. The two companies hold different products and are owned by different people and running different operations. In short not a second Carmina.

Meermin offers two lines, the Classic and the Linea Maestro. The Classic collection is fully hand lasted and Goodyear welt constructed. The Linea Maestro features high end finishing. Meermin also offers made to order shoes.
Judge and review Meermin's products. I will be acquiring a few of their products during the course of the year. Please check them out and decide for yourself. Great products for a "reasonable" price.

Two toned double strapped monk in leather and suede

Two toned Balmoral Oxford boot, in leather and suede

 Austerity full brogue Oxford in a nice reddish colour

 Different offerings from Meermin

 Side laced Oxford in two tones, leather and pony hair, very interesting combination, however beautifully renditioned by Meermin. Well done

Another side laced Oxford in two tones, grained leather and suede in Balmoral style. Very nice.

A traditional single monk side strapped in blue suede

The classic tassel loafer for the Summer in brown leather

All pictures sourced from Tumblr